I am now looking into primaries for my DD, who will be starting in Sept 2013 (so have to apply this Sept).
My DS has SEN and attended a local, supposedly 'Ofsted Outstanding' state primary for a (hideous) year before getting a place at a special school. There is no way on God's earth I am sending my DD to the first school my DS attended. He had a disasterous year - too awful to go into, really - but the staff (especially the Head) were horribly unsupportive and I cannot imagine having to ever darken their door again, to be frank.
The only other schools nearby (that we have a hope of hell of getting into) are faith schools, and we are not a religious family. We live in one of those areas of London where you have to live 0.4 of a mile from a school to get in....so we are a bit stuck now.
So...against all my champagne socialist principles, we are looking at private schools. I have no idea where to start. We have been to see King Alfred (loved it, but it seems to get a slating on MN..?) and intend to visit NCS, Habs and possibly a couple of the Hampstead preps, although not sure about any of these.
We are a 'wrokign clas' made good family. DH and I both went to state schools bt Russel Group universities and are both running small but successful businesses. I'm a bit scared of the glossy model mums and investment banker dads, to be honest 
, and not sure we want Dd pushed and coached, really.
Btw, DD is a lovely, easygoing, sunny-natured and cooperative child, a wee bit shy, showing signs of being fairly bright, but nothing like my Asperger's son who is the prodigal bloody child (with severe behavioural issues as a nice side order) 
So, what do you suggest, oh wise ones? Really interested to hear your views on preps in North London or Herts/London borders.